You, my Grace, are my fairy godmother, my birthday cake
candles, and my genie in a bottle all rolled into one beautiful package,
because it was you who granted my heart’s desire, my biggest, most perfect wish
– you, baby girl, made me a mommy. From
the moment that I knew that there was a you, I’ve prayed a circle of angels
around you, a heavenly hedge of protection . . . “keep her safe, surround her with Your angels…”. And I hope to
goodness those guys have a great retirement package; you certainly haven’t made
their job easy, and they will have more than earned it when they are finished
with you! You live life big and loud and
fun and feisty, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Since these days we’re obsessed with all things motor
vehicle, I thought I’d attempt to speak that language in the hopes that
something might register. Consider these
“Mommy’s Road Signs for Life” (and
don’t under any circumstances use any of the following information in an attempt
to impress the DMV or any uniformed officer of the law) . . .
"You're Not Going That Way"
I saw a quote recently that said, “Don’t look back; you’re
not going that way.” Truth. Now, the experiences you have will most
definitely help shape the person you are.
Your past, your foundation, it’s important. This sign doesn’t suggest that you forget
those things that have gotten you to where you are, but rather learn from them
and keep moving forward. We can’t go back and get a “re-do” on a bad
yesterday, but we can certainly do our best to focus on making tomorrow
better. Concentrate on the view through
your windshield, little one. No need to
keep looking back; you’re not going that way.
"Be Still"
This is so important, Grace.
Life goes and goes and goes and we run with it trying just as hard as we
can to keep up. You buzz with kinetic
energy – always on the move, planning for “what’s next” before you’re even
finished with “what’s now”. And busy is
good - busy means you’re out there living this one, big beautiful life you’ve
been given. But don’t be afraid to just
be still and quiet sometimes. There is
so much wisdom behind “stop and smell the flowers”. Notice things, notice EVERYTHING. Find something that makes your eyes go wide
and your mouth hang open and then just be still and soak it in – never outgrow
awe and wonder.
“Work Hard”
Dreaming big dreams is fantastic, it’s exactly what we want
you to do – the bigger the better. BUT at the end of the day, when the dreaming is done, go to work to make those
dreams happen. Not getting there is ok;
not trying is just unacceptable. Things
worth having are rarely free or easily come by – work hard, Grace. Look around you, wonder if things could be
different or better, and then go to work to make it so. You were not created to sit on the
sidelines. And when you’re tired, when
your tank is empty and you just can’t imagine giving any more, hear us at the
finish line cheering you on, yelling like maniacs telling you to give it all
you’ve got left.
“Just Wait”
This one stinks; it just does. It’s hard and no fun. I blame cell phones. We have instant everything now; waiting is a
lost art. But sometimes, baby girl,
sometimes it’s just exactly what we need to do – just wait. Wait for the answer, wait for the wisdom,
wait for “what’s next” to reveal itself to you.
And you know what’s so wonderful about this sign? It’s great friends with “Be Still”. Oftentimes when you’re “just waiting”, it’s a
perfect time to just “be still”.
Worrying about tomorrow robs today of its joy. Sometimes things just don’t happen on our
time. Trust, my love, that there is a
perfect plan and just you wait – every little thing is gonna be alright,
promise.
“Be Kind”
I remember being about your age and stressing over what I
wanted to “be” when I grew up. It didn’t
help that every adult who I encountered felt led to ask me that very
question. It was as if they had all been
given the same script. Problem was I
wasn’t privy to the script, and I didn’t have a clue what my lines were! This is one of those instances when I could
really use a rewind because I know the answer now.
The play would go something like this:
Adult: “So Amy, what
do you think you want to be when you grow up?”
Brilliant Again 16 year old me: “Kind”
That’s it. That’s
exactly what I want to be – kind. And
Grace, if you can be ANYTHING (and you can), be kind. Give that compliment, share that beautiful
smile, speak encouragement, love freely, cheer for the underdog, be the voice
of those too tired to speak for themselves.
SPEAK kindly. You don’t have to
agree with someone, you don’t even have to like them, but you can always,
always, always be kind.
Slippery when wet?
Only if you’re Bon Jovi. Let’s
call this one, “Jesus Take The Wheel”.
You, my hard headed, strong willed, independent child, you
cling to control just like it’s your cold blankie. You always have. But sometimes, sometimes it’s (whatever “it”
is at the moment) just too much for us to handle on our own. The good news? You don’t have to, baby. You were never expected to. When things are crazy and life is swerving
all over the place, and it just doesn’t seem like things will ever be straight
again – Jesus take the wheel. Turning
over the control is hard. Blind faith is
even harder. It’s ok to wonder and
question – that doesn’t make your faith any less. Faith is this elusive, beautiful whisper that
is sometimes almost impossible to hear, and those are the times that it’s most
important that we listen, that we listen really, really hard. Because when your heart finally hears its
song, faith will plant and bloom and grow there until its singing drowns out
all the other noise. Your birthday falls
on Easter sometimes. I love that. He carried the weight of the WHOLE WORLD on
His shoulders, Grace. He can absolutely
handle carrying you. He loved you first.
My Grace, my heart’s desire, my wish come true, I am, every
day, in absolute awe of you. Drive slow,
my baby girl, roll those windows down – there’s so much to see, and this world,
this life, it’s BEAUTIFUL - soak it all in – and then crank up that radio,
shake your imaginary tambourine, and sing at the top of your lungs. Those people in the car next to you? Yep, you bet they’re watching. How could they not? You’re sixteen, you’re beautiful, and you’re
mine.
Happy Birthday, my Amazing Grace!
More than you’ll ever know,
Mommy